I can empathize with a response from a line manager like that. But from the point of view of an employee, if you go into a salary discussion with no recourse to

I can empathize with a response from a line manager like that. But from the point of view of an employee, if you go into a salary discussion with no recourse to getting a flat no, you're not doing much more than voicing the fact that you are discontent. It seems to me that you, scarylam, would be a good line manager to work for. But the reality is that most would not fight for you. Especially not when the two options being weighed are spending more money or having a somewhat dissatisfied employee, and maybe losing them later. If the employee has some form of recourse the decision is very different. Spending more money or losing a part of your team now.